'The Voice': Battle Rounds part three recap

The battle rounds on this season of The Voice are going strong, but we're not quite done yet. As per usual, Ed Sheeran, Ryan Tedder, Cher and Miguel are around to help the celebrity coaches as they, erm, coach their contestants and it's game on. Let's send some people home, shall we?

First up tonight, it's Josh Logan versus Michael Lynch from Team Christina. She's given them Maroon 5's 'Harder to Breathe', and while Josh is very suited to the song, it seems to me that's because he's impersonating Adam Levine's voice. Michael has a hard time remembering all the lyrics, but Christina reminds him to concentrate on his ad libs, too, and have some fun with it.

The battle goes well enough - they both seem to manage with the words, though there are a few barely noticeable flubs. As for the vocals, they're both pretty much on the same level of boringness, but the Adam Levine impersonator (Josh) sings a bit louder, so maybe that'll give him the edge. Adam cracks up watching them, probably because he's wondering how his vocals have still been left on the track.

Cee Lo enjoyed their confidence before mentioning that Josh "almost sounds identical" to Adam. While he says he means it as a compliment, we've already got one Adam and that's plenty. Blake was into it but could also hear Adam's influence on Josh's voice. He knows that Michael has a softer voice, but that's not a bad thing, so he feels there's no wrong way to go here. Adam loves the song and admits that Michael did overpower Josh, who has a lot of command and is quite polished. However, he has nothing negative to say about either. It comes down to Christina, though, and she decides to keep Josh. No surprises there!

Next up, Cee Lo is pairing up George Horga Jr and Juhi for a rendition of Gavin DeGraw's 'The Best I've Ever Had'. Miguel thinks Juhi is "dope" because of her unique style, but he's reminded of Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake when he listens to George. Juhi really needs to learn how to enunciate, though,or she could get swallowed up.

The battle itself is okay, but it's hard to judge impartially when I hate the song so much. Juhi's unique "style" is slightly grating and I feel would only become more so as the season continues - she adds far too many little squeals and stylings that just do nothing. George lacks charisma and is in no way the next Timberlake, but at least he comes off as slightly more authentic.

Adam thinks it's interesting because George had a bad note, but he then sang really well, which shows his resilience. Adam thinks Juhi has a great voice, but he worries she might get backed into a corner because she's so specific. Blake agrees that it sucks that George had a bad note, but says that it's up to Cee Lo. He really likes Juhi and thinks something special jumps out about her. Christina insists that they both did a great job, but Juhi had character in her voice and some cool stylings. Cee Lo finally has to make his decision, and he decides to keep George. But don't worry - Adam steals Juhi, so she's not going home.

Blake's first pairing of the night comes in the form of Austin Jenckes and Brian Pounds. They're doing 'To Love Somebody' which seems odd for country singers, but Blake remembers hearing Hank Williams Jr's version. Austin is a fantastic singer and a powerful one, but Cher reminds him not to use his power just because he's there and pick the right moments to use it. As for Brian, he's overthinking things and it's keeping him from connecting with the lyrics, and he needs to get it together.

When it's battle time, they manage to get it together, but Brian really fades into the background. He's got a great voice and really gives it his all, but Austin just seems to have more charisma and a lot of grit to his voice. Neither of these are going to be the next big star (which could be said about 99% of people on this show), but I'd say Austin is the winner of this one.

Christina thinks they both "brought it", but she connected more with Austin, emotionally-speaking. Cee Lo knows that Brian's voice is strong, but there were moments that needed to connect and didn't. As for Austin, he has an effortless style and knows who he is. Blake is having a hard time making a decision because both of them sounded great, but eventually he decides to keep Austin. Brian doesn't get stolen, either, so he's outta there.

Moving right along, Team Adam's James Irwin and Matt Lermanski are battling it out for OneRepublic's 'Counting Sheep'. Since Ryan wrote the song, they'll really need to impress him. James got a little subdued and smoky, but Ryan and Adam want to make sure he's not getting too laid back. Matt wants to change the key of the song to B minor and James is amenable, but Adam and Ryan decide it's too low and it sounds better where they want it.

It's a good song choice for the two of them, and they both give it all they've got. James has a bit more about him than Matt, who seems slightly awkward and lost without his guitar to shield him. He also is trying slightly too hard to seem cool, while James looks a little less self-conscious. They're both talented, they both hit a few bum notes and the decision is a little difficult. I literally can't pick who I think should stay, but I think it's James?

Blake thought it was cool to watch James perform as he really works the stage, but he also enjoys Matt's voice, which is "different". However, James' pitch is better. Christina says that while James started stronger, Matt ended it the strongest. Cee Lo disagrees - Matt has a fuller voice, but James cut through. It's up to Adam, though, and he wants to keep James. No one wants Matt, either, so she heads home.

Destinee Quinn and Lena Gaudenzi from Team Christina are singing 'Not Ready to Make Nice' by the Dixie Chicks and while Destinee is a country singer, Lena has great capabilities with her voice. Christina wants her not to rush the lyrics and to have conviction. Both of them really need to work on the emotion of the song so that they can really go for it, that's for sure.

Both girls do a great job with the song and can totally song, but Lena just has a lot more charism and polish on stage - perhaps is an age or experience thing? Destinee gets some fantastic notes in there, but Lena just seems to have a slight edge over her and I can't put my finger on why.

Cee Lo calls Lena's voice "strong and definitive" but he loved the passion and performance that Destinee displayed. Adam praises both of them for connecting with the song, but technically there were some problems on both sides. If he had to pick, though, he would go with Lena. Blake agrees that Lena performed better from start to finish, though he believes they both did a great job. It's up to Christina, though, and she wants to keep Destinee. Luckily, Adam jumps in and steals Lena.

The final battle of the night is between Team Adam's James Wolpert and James Champlin . They're singing Imagine Dragons' 'Radioactive' and Adam hopes it'll take them out of their comfort zones. There are some pitch problems and some connection issues for both of them, but it should be a good battle.

I'm not sure about the song choice for them, as they both seem slightly uncomfortable (which is, after all, what Adam wanted). They sound alright, but I'm not sure either one of them are better than the other. I honestly can't pick!

Blake is most surprised by James, because he doesn't look the part and it was a "shock". Will is a "bad ass" musically speaking, but Blake thinks James came out on top. Christina thinks Will had the most solid, consistent performance - he was clear and on pitch from the beginning, whereas James pushed a little too hard. Cee Lo is a fan of James' unassuming style, and for his own intrigue and amusement, he likes him better. Still, it's up to Adam, and he wants to keep James. Christina decides to steal Will, though, so he's back in the game.